WIND

Jun 22nd, 2016 - Jul 20th, 2016

Wind has many definitions. In the most literal sense it is the movement of air, which we experience as gentle breezes, warm chinooks, powerful gales, or destructive tornados. But wind is also breath; idle talk or gossip; meaningless rhetoric. One can catch wind of some news, or whisper words into someone’s ear, or use their breath to create music through a wind instrument. We give our words unto the wind and hope that it carries them where they need be.

Wind also relates to energy, sometimes restrained and captured in the form of wind turbines, and sometimes unrestrained and uncontrollable (run like the wind). Wind is sometimes used in reference to an influence or tendency that cannot be resisted (winds of change) or an impending, immutable situation (which way the wind blows). In this, it seems like wind is associated with fate. In mythology the wind is often personified as a god or goddess, as a way to explain the often unpredictable and destructive force.

Wind is a basic element of life. In classical Greek philosophy, air (or wind) is one of the four classical elements. In Chinese philosophy, the life force or energy is called Qi and its literal translation is breath, air or gas; it is the steam rising from rice as it cooks; etymologically it is represented as breath on a cold day. Similarly, in Hindu philosophy prana, life force or cosmic energy, means breath or air.

In this exhibition, Reinhold Pinter explores the many variations of wind from gentle summer breeze to raging tornado; from whispered secrets to the distribution of ideas; and from the mythological West Wind to the Aztec deity Ehecatl.

Wind is a touring exhibition developed by the Alberta Society of Artists for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program. This exhibition is currently circulating throughout the southwest/central parts of Alberta. The AFA Travelling Exhibition Program is financially supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.